Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s Son Yair Netanyahu Reportedly Changes Name to ‘Yonatan Hun’ Sparks Questions After Tax Record Update – Here’s What We Know

Reports say Yair Netanyahu has legally changed his name to Yonatan Hun, prompting debate over family heritage, transparency and public scrutiny.

By: Amreen Ahmad
Last Updated: July 13, 2026 00:19:18 IST

Benjamin Netanyahu Son Latest News: A change of name by Yair Netanyahu, the firstborn son of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is being talked about widely both within and beyond Israeli borders. As reported by Israeli press quoting records from the Israel Tax Authority, Yair Netanyahu has legally changed his name to “Yonatan Hun.” 

Although the change seems to be an administrative decision, its attraction lies in the political stature of the family, the historical background of the new name and the increasing surveillance of politically exposed persons (PEPs).

The son of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly legally changed his name to “Yonatan Hun” over the past year and a half.

Benjamin Netanyahu Son Latest News: Which Netanyahu Son Changed His Name?

The name change that has been reported is that of Yair Netanyahu, who is the eldest son of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and is 34 years old at present. According to Israeli tax records, his name has been updated to “Yonatan Hun” while retaining the same national identification number while reports state the change became official in 2026, and Israeli law generally prevents reversing it for seven years.

Benjamin Netanyahu Son Latest News: Tax Records Reveal the Name Change

The new name bears witness to extensive family ties as Yonatan is generally believed to be a homage paid to Yoni Netanyahu, the older brother of Benjamin Netanyahu who lost his life during Operation Entebbe which took place in 1976 as he led a rescue mission for Israeli hostages held in Uganda, an operation that stands out as one of the finest military missions conducted by Israel. 

The name Hun is derived from the original surname of Shmuel Ben-Artzi, the maternal grandfather of Yair Netanyahu, who had earlier been using the surname Hun but changed it to Ben-Artzi when he came to Israel.

Benjamin Netanyahu Son Latest News: Why ‘Yonatan Hun’ Carries Historical Meaning

The new surname has many significant family ties as “Yonatan” has come to be recognized as honoring Yoni Netanyahu, the older brother of Benjamin Netanyahu who died in 1976 when he headed an operation called Operation Entebbe, which ended in rescuing hostages from Uganda. 

The family surname “Hun” originated from the maternal grandfather of Yair Netanyahu named Shmuel Ben-Artzi. The original family name of the grandfather was “Hun,” but they took “Ben-Artzi” as their family name after moving to Israel.

Benjamin Netanyahu Son Latest News: Key Facts & Figures

Several notable details stand out in the reported administrative update:

  • 34 years old: Yair Netanyahu’s current age.
  • 2024: Tax records still carried his birth name.
  • 2026: Official filings reportedly reflect the new legal name.
  • 7 years: Minimum period before an official name change can generally be reversed under Israeli regulations.
  • 1976: Year of Operation Entebbe, linked to the name Yonatan.
  • According to reports, Yair Netanyahu has been living in Florida from late 2023 while still being listed as a self-employed individual in Israel’s advertising industry.
  • He has also set up a lecture company in Connecticut and thus extended his range of professional engagements within the USA.

Benjamin Netanyahu Son Latest News: What’s Next for Yair Netanyahu?

Changing one’s name legally is a matter of personal choice however, where such an issue concerns the immediate family members of the country’s prime minister in office, there is no doubt that public interest cannot be ruled out. In the current case, the change is not limited to just a change in one’s identity. 

It also concerns issues of family history and politic since the relatives of top political figures are usually categorized as politically exposed individuals on an international level, it can be understood why any change in the official records attracts more attention.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available court records and media reports. Legal proceedings may change as new filings or rulings become available.

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